CHAPTER 13
Oversized windows with a patchwork of florescent placards proclaiming the meal deals on offer inside 'Turkish Delight' is a regular greasy spoon. It neither sells Turkish food nor is it what would be described as delightful, but it's run by a portly Turk called Pete. Pete's not his birth name but the nearest sounding in English.
After arriving in Britain in the late seventies he'd given up correcting people so had stuck with Pete.
Turning he looked round his café, beaming his almost permanent grin to his customers.
The clientele, sat before a backdrop of discoloured net curtains, was a mixture of school kids, workmen, in for the full English and drop outs who'd take two hours to drink a cup of tea.
Cheap crackly speakers filled the air with early eighties electro-pop as the radio station's breakfast-show played its daily guess the year slot. In one corner the old man who sat in the same spot everyday till the bookies down the road opened, was sipping tea studying the form.
Wondering if he ever had any luck Pete thought of his own since arriving and his smile spread further while he unconsciously patted his protruding belly. Yeah he'd done well. Uneducated and skint, when arriving in the 'promised-land'.
The promised-land had been a damp ridden Baron Bailey bedsit, employment had been washing up and removing kitchen waste.
Now he ran the café and owned properties all over the Riverside, the one thing he made sure of was that they were better than Bailey's.
Plonking the two full breakfasts on the counter he looked round the room, the smile still there though wrinkles across his brow betrayed his true feelings.
At that moment the door opened and the waitress walked in, exhaling the last bit of smoke from her cigarette.
"Where you been huh!
The slim, dark haired girl shrugged,
"Cigarette.
Pete had a puzzled look on his face as he gestured round the café with a sweeping arm,
"Why you not smoke here?
The girl said nothing, shrugging again,
Pete gave an exaggerated sigh amidst eye rolling and head shaking while lifting both arms skywards,
"You never get rich like that, he said almost to himself, "you think I get all this through sitting out front smoking.
The girl stared at him blankly, not even understanding what he'd said.
They were interrupted by one of the workmen, an inquisitive expression on his face,
"Pete.
Immediately the smile returned as he looked over in the direction of the shout.
"Where's me breakfast?
"It's coming now.
Pete placated, the smile not shifting a millimetre.
Turning towards the waitress he nodded towards the plates on the side.
"And to him over there.
Following his gaze the waitress spied another workman a few tables up and understood.
As she walked over to retrieve the plates Pete stood shaking his head in an animated fashion.
The clunk of coins filled the air as one of the fruit machines started paying out,
"Fuckin told you so, didn't I.
The winner's grin made Pete's, which at the sound had dropped slightly, look miserable,
"Hey shouldn't you be at school?
Looking over the winner sneered,
"What are you my old man?
Pete looked serious,
"Might well be, he retorted, bringing sniggers from around the room, "now get out.
The youth's face flushed as he muttered,
"Fuck off.
Watching them depart Pete stood hands on waist, pleased at his little bit of humour.
Heading back behind the counter he listened to the music,
"Nineteen eighty-two, he said aloud nodding his head.
At that moment the door opened and Dwaine walked in.
Pete fixed him with an extra special smile,
"Dwaine, Dwaine, how are you today?
The smile was returned,
"Good, yeah I'm okay Pete. What about all that with Ke¦.
"Sh sh sh. The finger was up to the lips as Pete came round the counter beckoning him closer,
"Bad for business, Pete explained in a dropped voice, "you understand yes.
"You know who her dad was? he continued.
Dwaine nodded.
The Turk's mouth was down-turned,
"Heavy shit yeah?
"Yeah Pete, heavy shit. Dwaine agreed, a serious look on his face.
"Usual? Pete didn't wait for the answer as he disappeared behind the counter.
Dwaine walked over to take a seat, winking at the waitress as he passed.
"You alright girl?
She smiled, recognising him but unsure what he'd said.
Settling into a seat he picked up a discarded paper.
The synthesisers announced Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' was next on the play-list.
"Nineteen eighty-three, he called out to Pete who shook his head,
"Eighty two.
Dwaine shook his head.
Pete tapped the end of his nose with his index finger,
"Definitely.
Chuckling Dwaine returned to the paper, as he reached page five he was aware of the door opening again.
Looking up he saw Pete's smile had momentarily disappeared.
Turning towards the door he saw Jarvey.
The customers, with the exception of Dwaine, looked down at their plates as he walked across the room.
Dwaine fixed his childhood friend with a smile,
"Jarv, he exclaimed with exaggerated shock, "what's up, slumming it?
Taking the seat opposite Jarvey returned the smile,
"How you doing Dwaine?
"Good, yeah, good. Yourself?
"Never been better.
